Howlett, Maynis (Mitch)

Maynis (Mitch) Howlett, 93, of Christiansburg, VA, departed this life on November 4, 2018. She was the daughter of Ezra and Sadie Reed Mitchell of Alum Ridge, VA. Mitch was the youngest child of the family of six and the last to join her family in heaven.

She leaves her son, John and his wife, Barbara, of The Villages, FL. Mitch was the proud grandmother of four grandchildren: Jason (Sherri) Howlett of Delran, NJ; Erica (Michael) Carroll of Cordova, TN; Karla (Anatole) Donetz of Wrightstown, NJ; Emily (Todd) Moore of Cordova, TN; Eight great-grandchildren: Nicholas and Ryan Howlett of Delran, NJ; Maxim, Maddox, and Michaela Carroll and Haidyn, Ashtyn, and Jaxon Moore of Cordova, TN.

She was preceded on her journey by her husband of 53 years, Harless (H.B.); her parents, Ezra and Sadie Mitchell; two sisters – Mabel, and her husband, Zenas Wheeler; Faye and her husband, Lowell Altizer; one brother, Ray and his wife, Mary Mitchell and beloved daughter, Joan Howlett Cox.

After high school, Mitch attended Freed-Hardeman College in Henderson, TN with Fay and Lowell. She taught in high school in Hillsville, VA where she met her future husband, H.B., prior to moving to Martinsville, VA. She taught at Stead Business College, was a District Manager for World Book Encyclopedia, and found her true love as a teacher in the Henry County Public School System for 30 years before retiring.

Mitch had wonderful, caring family physicians, Dr. Michael Paine and Dr. Maggie Belton. A very special thank you to everyone at Heritage Hall. Their professionalism and compassion for her during prior rehab stays and certainly during her final days was comforting to her and her family…Thank you Robby and to all!

Visitation and funeral services will be held at Horne’s Funeral Home in Christiansburg, VA. Visitations will be from 1:00 – 2:30 pm on Friday, November 9. The funeral service will immediately follow at 3:00 pm. Interment will be held Saturday, November 10, at 11:00 am in Hillsville, VA at Wilkinson Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad of Christiansburg or The Alzheimer’s Organization.